The invention relates to Factor H gene polymorphisms and haplotypes associated with an elevated or a reduced risk of AMD. The invention provides methods and reagents for diagnosis and treatment of AMD.

Synthetic signal transduction systems are provided. The synthetic signal transduction system may be a hormone degradable CRISPR-based transcription factor including a nuclease null Cas9 protein, a nuclear localization signal, a phytohormone degron, and a transcriptional regulation domain. Methods of generating non-naturally occurring plants are also provided. The methods may include expressing a synthetic signal transduction system in a plant. Non-naturally occurring plants formed by the methods are also provided.

The production of high quality retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) cells is necessary for research and potential therapeutic uses. Especially desirable are methods for the production of RPE cells using xeno-free culture conditions. Disclosed herein are novel methods for the production of RPE cells from pluripotent cells with high yields, including xeno-free production methods. Also provided are methods of efficiently isolating RPE cells from cultures containing heterogeneous cell types, allowing for substantially pure RPE cell cultures to be established. Additionally, novel methods for the cryopreservation of RPE cells are provided.

Disclosed is a novel polyene-specific glycosyltransferase derived from Pseudonocardia autotrophica. The glycosyltransferase includes an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a gene encoding the glycosyltransferase. The glycosyltransferase is produced by a method which includes the steps of: culturing transgenic recombinant microorganisms; and isolating glycosyltransferase from the cultured recombinant microorganisms.

An isolated recombinant parvovirus vector comprising a synthetic enhancer comprising plurality of enhancer sequences operably linked to a promoter, and methods of using the vector, are provided.

Provided herein are methods for selecting a population of cells expressing a target polypeptide. In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods for sorting and selecting populations of transfected host cells based on their early expression of a selectable polypeptide. In certain embodiments, the sorting is performed using fluorescence-activated cell sorting or magnetic-activated cell sorting based on the selectable polypeptide. Such selection methods can be further utilized to generate clonal populations of producer cells, e.g. for large-scale manufacturing of a target polypeptide of interest.

Recombinant expression vectors are disclosed that include a control sequence for recombinant expression of proteins of interest; the control sequence combines a mCMV enhancer sequence with a rat EF-1alpha intron sequence. Some of the vectors are useful for tetracycline-inducible expression. Some of the vectors contain a 5′ PiggyBac ITR and a 3′ PiggyBac ITR to promote genomic integration into a host cell chromosome. A method of selecting a stable production cell line for manufacturing a protein of interest is also disclosed. Also disclosed are mammalian host cells comprising the inventive recombinant expression vectors and a method of producing a protein of interest, in vitro, involving the mammalian host cell.

Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) seed, seed lots, seed meal, and compositions with reduced glucosinolate content as well as plants that yield such seed, seed lots, seed meal, and compositions are provided. Methods of making and using the pennycress plants and/or seed that provide such seed, seed lots, seed meal, and compositions are also provided.

Disclosed in the present invention are an antibody targeting LAG-3, a preparation method therefor and the use thereof. In particular, disclosed in the present invention is a novel monoclonal antibody targeting LAG-3. Also disclosed in the present invention is a method for the preparation of the monoclonal antibody. The monoclonal antibody of the present invention is capable of binding LAG-3 antigens with high specificity, and has very high affinity and significant activities such as anti-tumor activity.

The present disclosure provides automated modules and instruments for improved detection of nuclease genome editing of live cells. The disclosure provides improved modules—including high throughput modules—for screening cells that have been subjected to editing and identifying and selecting cells that have been properly edited.